Kansas Association of Counties Announces New Board Members and Executive Board Officers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2021 
News Contact: Kimberly Qualls, (785) 213-4717 or qualls@kansascounties.org

Kansas Association of Counties Announces New Board Members and Executive Board Officers 

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Association of Counties announces the addition of five new board members and new executive board leadership who will guide and support the association’s mission in providing effective, responsive county government across Kansas.

“We are excited with the addition of five new members to our board who bring diverse expertise and insight to county government from across our state,” stated Bruce Chladny, KAC Executive Director. “These new board members bring specialized expertise within different county roles in addition to geographic diversity to our board.” 

The new KAC Executive Board Officers who will serve a one-year term for 2021 are as follows. G.A. “Chip” Westfall was reappointed in 2020 to serve a second one-year term in 2021 as KAC Governing Board Chair.

  • A. "Chip" Westfall, President
    Harvey County Commissioner
    South Central District Commissioner

  • Shari Kaminska, Vice President
    Elk County Commissioner
    Southeast District Commissioner

  • Kenny Baccus, Treasurer
    Ottawa County Noxious Weed Director
    Noxious Weed Directors Representative

  • Dan Partridge, Secretary
    Lawrence/Douglas County Public Health Director
    Local Health Departments Representative

“I am personally delighted to welcome this experienced group of new board members,” shared KAC President G.A. “Chip” Westfall. “I look forward to working with them as we continue to advocate for and support the governance efforts of all our 104 member Kansas Counties.”  

The five new KAC board members who have begun their two-year terms and who may serve a maximum of two terms are as follows:

  • Keith Becker, McPherson County Commissioner
    North Central District Commissioner

  • Wayne Blackbourn, Coffey County Engineer
    Highway Representative

  • Max Dibble, Phillips County Commissioner
    Rural Designee

  • Dee McKee, Pottawatomie County Commissioner
    Northeast District Commissioner

  • J. Wettstein, Seward County Commissioner
    Southwest District Commissioner

Existing KAC board members reelected for a second two-year term include Kenny Baccus, Ottawa County Noxious Weed Director, Noxious Weed Directors Representative; Dan Partridge, Lawrence/Douglas County Public Health Director, Local Health Departments Representative; Don Pyle, Crawford County Clerk, County Clerk/Election Officials Representative; Brian Stone, Cowley County Emergency Management Director, Emergency Management Representative; and Frank Williams, Butler County EMS Operations Manager, Emergency Medical Services Representative.

Outgoing KAC board members include Jeff Blosser, Morris County Engineer/Road and Bridge Superintendent; Carla Pence, Former Harper County Commissioner; Lon Pishny, Finney County Commissioner; Gary Scoby, Nemaha County Commissioner; and Bob Vidricksen, Saline County Commissioner.

To view a full listing of the Kansas Association of Counties 18-member governing board, click here.

The Kansas Association of Counties is a quasi-public agency, which seeks to advance the public interest by promoting effective, responsive county government in Kansas. Founded in 1975, as an instrumentality of its member counties, KAC serves county governments through: legislative representation, technical assistance, leadership, and professional education.

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